Events Calendar
In This Section
New eateries expand menu of options
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Day with Warren Buffett enriching to UA students
WISDOM FROM BILLIONAIRE WARREN BUFFETT
Wadsworth group plans vet tribute
Judge sentences four in nursing home case
FedEx says IRS won't be imposing penalties
U.S. Walmarts to stay open Thanksgiving
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
Senior receiver Jabari Arthur has 11 catches, 125 yards, touchdown
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
CLEVELAND: No matter who is playing quarterback for the University of Akron, the Zips showed they will throw a lot to senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur.
Arthur caught a career-high 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown as UA defeated Army 22-14 before a crowd of 17,865 in the season opener Saturday night in the inaugural FirstMerit Patriot Bowl at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The victory is the Zips' first win against the Black Knights, who entered the game 3-0 against UA. It was also the first win in a season opener for the Zips under coach J.D. Brookhart, who is in his fourth season with UA.
''Obviously it was a great win,'' Brookhart said. ''I think we grew up a little bit in some areas we needed to grow up in.''
Brookhart had decided to use a two-quarterback system, with Chris Jacquemain getting the start and fellow sophomore Carlton Jackson starting the second quarter.
That raised several questions about UA's offense. Rhythm, consistency, continuity and controversy are typical worries when two quarterbacks get playing time, but Jacquemain and Jackson made one thing clear: The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Arthur is their main target.
Jacquemain completed 14-of-24 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, and Jackson completed 3-of-5 for 29 yards.
Arthur, a native of Montreal who was selected sixth overall in the 2007 Canadian Football League draft, moved from ninth to sixth on the Zips' career-receptions list.
With 3:01 remaining in the first half, UA got the ball at its 20-yard line and marched down the field for
a nine-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a 19-yard touchdown reception by Arthur.
Jacquemain threw a pass to the back-right corner of the end zone, where Arthur caught it and slid out of bounds backward with his left foot down. Officials originally ruled that Arthur was out of bounds before he made the catch, but after reviewing the replay they ruled it a touchdown.
That gave UA a 19-7 lead they took into halftime, and Army never threatened again.
Brookhart said of Arthur: ''He's a competitive kid, and he's capable of having those big games. We took advantage of certain matchups, and he capitalized on it.''
UA junior Bryan Williams, a Buchtel High graduate, returned the game's opening kickoff a career-high 70 yards to the Army 23-yard line. The Zips, however, couldn't put the ball in the end zone and were forced to settle for freshman Igor Iveljic's 23-yard field goal that gave UA a 3-0 lead with 12:30 left in the first quarter.
The UA defense then scored the Zips' first touchdown of the season when senior cornerback Reggie Corner, a Canton McKinley graduate, intercepted Army quarterback David Pevoto's pass and raced down the Black Knights' sideline untouched for a 74-yard return. Iveljic's extra point kick went wide left, however, leaving the Zips with a 9-0 lead with 3:50 left in the first quarter.
Army responded with a 10-play, 61-yard drive that was capped by junior running back Wesley McMahand's 3-yard rushing touchdown, which cut UA's deficit to 9-7 with 14:20 left in the second quarter.
Brookhart kept his promise and stuck with his pregame plan by allowing Jackson to take over at quarterback to start the second quarter. Jackson didn't shock the world with his performance, but he did lead the Zips on a 12-play, 66-yard drive that set up Iveljic's 32-yard field goal, which gave UA a 12-7 lead with 10:28 left in the first half.
Jabari's touchdown catch made it 19-7.
Iveljic made a 28-yard field goal with 13:46 left in the fourth quarter to give the Zips a 22-7 lead.
The Zips didn't need more points with the way their defense played after halftime. Army's lone touchdown of the second half was the result of a blocked UA punt recovered in the end zone.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at 330-996-3800.
CLEVELAND: No matter who is playing quarterback for the University of Akron, the Zips showed they will throw a lot to senior wide receiver Jabari Arthur.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
